spine (sized at 1/4”) The State We’re In: The State We’re In: Washington Your guide to state, tribal & local government Washington Your guide to state, tribal & local government 7th edition League of Women Voters Washington Education Fund 7th edition LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS of Washington Education Fund spine (sized at 1/4”) 7th edition The League of Women Voters of Washington This edition has been produced and published by the League of Women Empowering all Washingtonians to engage in a more responsible Voters of Washington Education Fund and responsive democracy © 2014 by the League of Women Voters of Washington Education Fund All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored Rooted in the movement that secured the right to vote for women, the in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, League has worked to foster civic engagement and enhance access to the mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior vote since we were founded in 1920. Over time our work has evolved from written permission of the copyright owner. efforts to gain and foster women’s suffrage to ensuring that all eligible voters – particularly those from traditionally underrepresented or underserved Printed in the United States of America communities, including first-time voters, non-college youth, new citizens, minorities, the elderly and low-income Americans – have the opportunity League of Women Voters of Washington Education Fund and the information to exercise their right to vote. 1402 3rd Avenue, Suite 430, Seattle, WA 98101 www.lwvwa.org ISBN 978-0-615-93888-2 The League believes knowledge is key to voting, so we educate and advocate on: • Natural resources: clean air and water, energy, land use planning Ordering Information: • Social policies: education, health care, housing Books are available individually or in sets. A Teacher’s Curriculum Guide is also available and is free with purchase of classroom size sets of the • Governmental polices: open government, fair taxes, and more textbook. For information and to place orders please call: Be bold – make a difference – join the League 206-622-8961 or 1-800-419-2596 (outside King County) www.lwvwa.org For additional information and for order forms go to: www.lwvwa.org Front cover photos clockwise from upper left: Olympic Peninsula; Seattle skyline photo courtesy Leslie Hoge Design; Mt. St. Helens; Palouse photo courtesy Carlos Schwantes Back cover photos clockwise from upper left: Middle school students, photo © Susie Fitzhugh; Bruce Henne of Earth Conscious Organics, growers & distributers, Brewster, WA; Lisa Steppe and Andy Robertson, personal fitness trainers, Seattle WA; Hazel Pete, basket weaver, Chehalis tribe, photo courtesy of the Hazel Pete family. The State We’re In: Washington Your guide to state, tribal & local government Jill Severn, author Produced and published by The League of Women Voters of Washington Education Fund 2014 Project Manager: Karen Verrill Book design: Leslie Hoge Design photo courtesy Harry Halverson © Fine Photography LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS of Washington Education Fund OUR MISSION: The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. STEERING COMMITTEE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Margaret Colony, LWV Skagit County The League of Women Voters of Washington Education Fund, the author and the designer thank the following Lucy Copass, LWV Seattle/King County people who generously contributed information, expertise, editorial advice, and drafts of various features. Linnea Hirst, President LWV Washington (recent) Ron Allen, Annette Holcomb, LWV Bellingham/ Whatcom County Chair, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe Dorris Martin, LWV Seattle/King County Dick Baldwin, Senate Photographer Nancy Pearson, LWV Tacoma/ Pierce County Betty Tabbutt, LWV Thurston County John M. Findlay, Professor of American West and Pacific Northwest History, University of Washington CONSULTANTS Dean Foster Claire Hesselholt, Carolyn St Claire, LWV Thurston, Curriculum Specialist, Social Studies Teacher Policy Counsel, Senate Democratic Caucus Sally Brownfield, Director of Education, Squaxin Island Tribe Denny Hurtato, Chambliss Keith, Teacher, Hood Canal School Director of Indian Education, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, retired Cynthia Iyall PROJECT MANAGER Economic Development Specialist Nisqually Tribe Karen Verrill, LWV Thurston County Gordon James, Chair, Skokomish Tribe TEACHER’S CURRICULUM GUIDE COMMITTEE Joan Koenig, Squaxin Tribe Maureen Pittenger, Teacher, Kent School District, retired Sue Lean Carolyn St Claire, Curriculum Specialist, Social Studies Teacher, retired LWV Thurston County Stacie Munoz, Social Studies/Language Arts Teacher, Bainbridge Island School District Caleb Perkins Alignment with the Common Core State Standards by Brent Conklin, National Board Certified Program Supervisor of Social Studies/International Education OSPI Social Studies Teacher, Shelton School District Nick Pharris, Elections Information Specialist Elections Division, Office of the Secretary of State Steve Robinson Policy Analyst, NW Indian Fisheries Commission Toa Vang, Principal Partner, Spokane Tribe Thanks to contributing sponsor Thurston Regional Planning Council. 2 The state we’re in: Washington The state we’re in: Washington 3 table of contents Introduction ..............................................................9 5 Governing Washington today .................................57 The legislature .......................................................................................... 57 1 How the first people of Washington Making the laws....................................................................................... 59 governed themselves ..............................................10 The legislature’s biggest job: the state budget and taxes ......................... 63 The role of political parties ....................................................................... 63 Legislative staff ......................................................................................... 67 2 The design of today’s democracy ...........................16 The part-time legislature .......................................................................... 68 How state legislators are elected .............................................................. 69 Separation of powers ............................................................................... 18 The executive branch ............................................................................... 72 The rule of law ......................................................................................... 20 The other executive branch officials ......................................................... 74 Majority rule, minority rights .................................................................... 20 The judiciary ............................................................................................. 77 Federalism ................................................................................................ 21 Immigration .............................................................................................. 21 The role of citizens ................................................................................... 26 6 Tribal governments today .......................................82 Elections ................................................................................................... 26 Initiatives and referenda ........................................................................... 26 Local government: counties, cities, towns and Running for office .................................................................................... 28 7 Jury duty .................................................................................................. 29 special districts ........................................................92 Advocacy .................................................................................................. 30 Counties ................................................................................................... 93 Cities and towns .................................................................................... 100 3 Creating Washington’s government .......................32 Special purpose districts ......................................................................... 103 Writing Washington’s constitution ........................................................... 37 Big debates .............................................................................................. 39 8 What does it take to be a good citizen? ...............105 Agreement about education .................................................................... 42 Statehood ................................................................................................ 43 What’s next for Washington? ...............................109 Amendments............................................................................................ 43 9 4 A century of change ...............................................45 Appendix A: Timeline of Washington history ........125 Economic change ..................................................................................... 45 Change in Washington’s natural resources .............................................. 47 Appendix B: A sampling